Combining a restaurant, delicatessen and an art gallery into somewhere that’s thoroughly unpretentious is no easy feat, but Bottega Prelibato achieves it primarily thanks to the quality of its atmosphere and food.

The Venue
Just up the quieter end of Rivington Street, Bottega Prelibato doesn’t stand out, but that kind of suits it. An unremarkable, if stylish, entrance leads into a deliciously rustic restaurant full of exposed brickwork, reclaimed woods, wicker baskets, black and white photos, little flowers and chalkboards listing all the daily specials. A little baby-blue Vespa is parked just inside the door, alluding to an Italian authenticity that’s confirmed by the thick accents of what are very smiley, heartfelt hellos.

The Atmosphere
There are quite a few arty sorts, as you’d imagine, but don’t let that put you off. This is a versatile little place that’s great for grabbing quick lunches (takeaways are a little bit cheaper), settling down for a longer stint or maybe even grabbing a bottle of wine and whiling away the afternoon. If art is your thing then head downstairs and check out the different weekly exhibitions. Fellow diners include office types having a wander from the City, students taking advantage of the good prices, those aforementioned arty types and an admirable number of Italians popping in for espressos and a chat with the staff. It all feels very pleasantly welcoming, which is always nice.

The Food
A selection of great platters featuring a wealth of excellent Parma hams, cheeses, salamis, sundried tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes are good places to start, with an £8 charge representing good value. The salads are pretty good too, especially the smoked salmon salad with baby spinach, mixed salad, lemon, coriander and a side of bread at a very reasonable £5.20 to eat in or £4.20 to take away.

If you’re in a bit of a rush the Panini are a great option, with the same top quality components coming together very nicely indeed. The Fiorentino (£4.50 or £4) sees spicy Tuscan salami, fresh pecorino cheese, hefty slices of tomato and salad leaves toasted between ciabatta until it’s all one very fine sliver of Italian flavour. The Genovese (£4 or £3.50) gets the same treatment, but this time it’s Parma ham, mozzarella, pesto and tomatoes that the toaster brings appetisingly close together.

You can also tuck into some very indulgent pastries and cakes, including home made cookies (£1.80), almond and chocolate croissants (£1.50) and slices of some impossibly rich-looking slices of chocolate cakes that prove popular with those shouting ‘bella’ and drinking espressos.

The Drinks
And those espressos (£1.40) are indeed very ‘bella’, as are (unsurprisingly) all the coffees – not least the simple Americano (£2) that serves up a significant caffeine kick for those that need it. Hot chocolates (£2.20), an assortment of teas (£1.90), San Pellegrinos (£2) and Pagos of myriad flavours (£1.80) ensure thirsty mouth are satisfied.

The Last Word
If you’re lucky (or unlucky) enough to work up by Old Street and Curtain Road kind of way then this is somewhere you have to try. Even if it’s just for one of their very tasty takeaway lunches.

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